Following the critical success of his acclaimed horror films Barbarian and Weapons, writer-director Zach Cregger is now embarking on a new Resident Evil movie. He recently unveiled more details about the project, including his reasoning behind choosing an adaptation over another original feature.
In an interview with Double Toasted, Cregger described his upcoming Resident Evil film as inherently “original,” expressing confidence that audiences will grasp this unique quality upon its release. He did not, however, elaborate further on this intriguing point.
Cregger also revealed that he has never viewed any of the previous half-dozen live-action Resident Evil movies directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. “If there are people out there who are rabid fans of the movie franchise, they are probably not really prepared for what I am going to be doing. But I think fans of the games are going to be stoked,” he stated, clearly signaling a departure from prior cinematic takes on the franchise.
During the same discussion, Cregger indicated that his Resident Evil movie aims to be “true to the experience” of the iconic video games. He suggested it would primarily “live in the world” of Resident Evil 2 and 3, while simultaneously adopting the distinct atmospheric tone of Resident Evil 4. He clarified that this film is not a direct adaptation of any single Resident Evil game.
Cregger further observed that the video game series itself does not adhere to a rigid, fixed lore or strict timelines and settings. “I don`t think I am taking any more liberties with this [movie] than the game franchise does. I think I am coloring within the lines,” he affirmed, suggesting his adaptation respects the series` inherent narrative flexibility.
Expressing significant enthusiasm, he added, “I`ve never seen a movie like it. I am beyond excited making this.”
The director confirmed that his distinctive tonal approach and refined filmmaking sensibilities, developed through his work on Barbarian and Weapons, will prominently feature in the Resident Evil project. However, this time it will be executed on a considerably grander scale and with a significantly larger production budget.
“It takes place in the world of the games,” Cregger explained, emphasizing that the viewer`s journey through the film will closely mirror the immersive experience of playing the games. He elaborated on this concept, describing it as following a single protagonist who progressively descends “deeper and deeper and deeper into hell.” He continued, “As someone who has played I don`t know how many thousands and thousands of hours of Resident Evil, I just feel like I know how that pacing can go, and it`s inherently cinematic. I feel like there is a great movie that can live inside this world and inside that sort of pacing. I am really, really pumped about the story that we get to tell here.”
Finally, Cregger outlined the production timeline for Resident Evil, confirming that principal photography is scheduled to commence this October in Prague. Filming is expected to continue through the end of January 2026. He cited Prague`s advantageous tax rebates and other logistical factors as key reasons for choosing the location, calling it “the right place.”
The new Resident Evil film is currently projected for a September 2026 release. While official casting announcements are still pending, there is speculation that Weapons actor Austin Abrams may secure a role in the production.